Four PRCS (Post Release Community Supervision) offenders were booked in the Siskiyou County Jail Friday when law enforcement officials conducted surprise compliance checks during the evening at 12 residences in Yreka, Montague and Grenada on 13 PRCS offenders.

The operation – conducted by officials from the Siskiyou County Probation Department, sheriff’s office, Yreka Police Department, California Department of Justice and Mount Shasta Police Department – marked the second surprise compliance check to be carried out in the county since the enactment of Assembly Bill 109.

He said these compliance checks show PRCS offenders that the probation department is vigilant about ensuring they remain in compliance with the terms of their supervision.

“It is important for PRCS offenders to know that we don’t just work from eight to five, and they have to comply with their terms. We get to go into their residences at any time,” added Susan George, deputy probation officer, who carries the entire county’s PRCS caseload.

All PRCS offenders must follow various terms of their release, such as submitting to random searches of their residences. Some are required to undergo drug testing and many are prohibited from consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages. Medical marijuana is permitted if the PRCS offender carries a medical doctor’s recommendation.

Jennifer Villani, the probation department’s adult division director, said that the compliance checks entail a search of PRCS offenders’ general living quarters and all prescription drugs to ensure prescriptions match the contents in the bottles. If applicable, offenders believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance may undergo sobriety tests. As of yet, officers have not forced entry into a PRCS offender’s home.

Law enforcement officials conducted the compliance checks by dividing into three teams that searched four residences each. District 4 Siskiyou County Supervisor Grace Bennett accompanied one of the teams to observe the operation.

Arrests

Felony charges of possession of narcotics are pending against two of the four PRCS offenders who were jailed Friday, said Villani. However, she noted that those are not prison-eligible felony charges. They will be held without bail for the duration of their court proceedings for the new charges.

All four of those arrested will be required to remain under the probation department’s supervision for a full three years, said Villani.

She explained that PRCS offenders are eligible for termination of supervision after six months if they have not violated any of the terms of their release. If they do not have any formal violations (which are defined as charges that require PRCS offenders to appear in court), by law, they are automatically terminated from supervision after 12 months.

Page 2 of 3 - Richard Grant, 45, of Yreka, was arrested after a team arrived at his home and he reportedly admitted to officers that he had been drinking alcohol. Officers conducted a breathalyzer test and alleged that he had a blood alcohol level of .06.

Heie commented that many PRCS offenders start drinking at 5 p.m. because they think probation officers have gone home for the night.

“You are in violation of your terms for being under the influence of alcohol,” deputy probation officer Amy Fernandez told Grant as she placed him in handcuffs.

While Grant, 45, was being detained, his uncle arrived at the residence.

“I’m going to jail, uncle,” Grant said.

Officers conducted a search of Grant’s trailer and allegedly confiscated opiates, spoons which Villani said appeared to contain narcotic residue and a cross bow.

Grant was charged with being in violation of PRCS and possession of narcotics.

The residence of PRCS offender Joanne Johnson, 54, of Yreka, was among those searched, and officers reportedly discovered methamphetamine. She was booked in the jail, and a felony charge of possession of narcotics is pending in addition to her PRCS violation charge.

When officers knocked on the door of PRCS James Crawford’s home, he was reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with another individual. Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jacques Morlet said deputies broke up the fight, and Crawford was booked in jail for violating the terms of his supervision by allegedly being under the influence of alcohol.

Villani said Crawford’s supervision has been formally revoked due to a previous violation, so he will remain under supervision for three years.

The residence of Niles Tulledo, 32, of Grenada, was one of the last to be searched.

Tulledo sat listlessly in a chair while officers searched the residence. The first alleged find was a small stash of marijuana, which Tulledo told deputies had been left behind by a family member who has a medical marijuana recommendation.

“I haven’t gotten stoned since 2005,” said Tulledo. “I don’t even like weed.”

Deputies discovered a syringe without a needle in the garbage can, and Tulledo’s girlfriend told deputies that it belonged to her. She said she uses syringes for her arts and crafts projects.

Deputies explained that possession of a syringe is a violation of the terms of Tulledo’s supervision.

In addition, a narcotics pipe with what SCSO Deputy Louis Mero said appeared to be narcotic residue was discovered.

The examination included a series of tests on balance, body temperature and verbal abilities.

Page 3 of 3 - The results of the DAR gave deputies probable cause that Tulledo was under the influence of a controlled substance, said deputies.

While Tulledo was being led from the residence in handcuffs, his girlfriend shouted obscenities at deputies, who remained silent as they filed out the door.

When Tulledo was booked in jail, he was drug tested. Officials are still awaiting the results of the toxicology test, although Villani said he was presumptively under the influence of methamphetamine, opiates and marijuana.

Following the operation, Bennett commented, “I was very impressed by how professional the probation officers and deputies were when conducting their searches.” She said she observed that deputies were conscientious about leaving tidy piles and returning items to their boxes and drawers following the search.

“I am extremely proud of how law enforcement officers conducted themselves during the compliance checks,” commented Villani. “I think we are doing our due diligence in assisting with the rehabilitation of these offenders by conducting compliance checks, and it is important for us to see what they are doing after hours.”

Villani added that the probation department wants to see PRCS offenders be successful in their efforts to rehabilitate; however, she commented, “We are realistic that there will be some violations.”